Saturday 16th March @ Maypole FC
East Birmingham 2 – 6 Erdington and Saltley
With East Birmingham strengthened by the addition of several new players, The Ton knew that all previous form was out the window. We were playing against the unknown. Therefore we needed to get off to a good start and ensure that we won all the 50/50 balls, unlike against South Birmingham on Wednesday.
Welcoming Trey back into the frontline, The Ton attacked from the first whistle to the last and played some very good free-flowing football at times. After failing to convert three or four early chances, The Ton were given a great opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty following a late East tackle. Jayden stepped up and cooly slotted the spot kick to the keepers right, leaving him with no chance. This spurred on The Ton and when Trey played a rampaging Callum through on goal,the nippy striker made no mistake, running onto the pass and firing past the keeper at the first time of asking. More chances came and went. However, moments before the break, a rapid Erdington and Saltley break down the right led to a East own goal, when the unfortunate defender put the ball into his own net. Had he not done so, the predatory Callum, who was waiting on the back post, would surely have done so.
A 3-0 halt time lead was no more than we deserved and we went into the second half determined to add to our goal tally. Sahib (who played in a total of three different positions!) scored the easiest goal of his life. Going up field for a corner, the centre back was still hanging around the back post when East cleared the ball. However, Josh S rifled a goal-bound shot in, only for Sahib to sneak in and get a touch, guiding the ball in from one whole yard! The Ton’s next goal was something special. Sam picked up the ball in his usual right-back position before playing it down the wing to Cedric. The skilful Cedric let the ball roll past him before playing a first touch pass through to Treymaine. The fact that he played the ball so quick meant the East defence was sliced in half and Trey was one-on-one with their keeper. Rather than smashing the ball past the keeper, Trey decided to run with it, before rounding the keeper and calmly slotting the ball away. Both Cedric and Trey should be immensely proud of the part they played in this great goal. Still smarting from the fact that Sahib stole his goal, Josh S ventured up field to score with a shot from the edge of the area. To their credit, East Birmingham never gave up and scored a couple of second half goals of their own, although The Ton should be far from pleased with the part they played in each goal!
Nevertheless, this was an assured performance from The Ton and meant they cemented their place in the top four, still with a chance of claiming third. At the start of the season, I hoped to finish fourth, although this was only in my wildest dreams. The lads deserve so much credit for the way in which they have played throughout the season! We have held our own with every team we have played against. However, it is not over just yet as we have a game against Kings Norton on Wednesday, followed by a crucial quarter-final on Saturday.
Come on boys, we can do it!
Team: Alex; Sam, William, Jayden, Michael; Sahib, Ellis-Jay, Josh S, Ross; Callum, Trey
Subs: Karter, Cedric, Ethan, Josh F
Scorers: Trey, Jayden, Callum, Sahib, Josh S, OG
M.O.M : Sahib
Up The Ton!
Erdington and Saltley Primary Schools' FA 